Metal detectorist finds Rolex watch 50 years after it was eaten by cow

A metal detectorist has unearthed an elderly farmer’s Rolex after it was eaten by a cow five decades ago.

Farmer James Steele, 95, lost the timepiece when the strap broke as he was tending cattle on his dairy farm in Shropshire.

One of the cows likely gobbled it up, he said, with searches for the Rolex coming up empty.

Yet 50 years later, metal detector Liam King discovered James’ lost watch while combing James’ farm, Treflach Hall in Morda, Oswestry.

Liam was hunting for coins on the farmland when he stumbled on the watch in a cowpat. Yeah, that makes sense.

James said: ‘The cow could have eaten it with a mouthful of grass, the vet said.

‘It was an amazing stroke of luck for it to turn up again after all this time lost in the earth.

‘I was really pleased because I never thought I would see the watch again.’

But James might not be able to wear his long-lost Rolex anytime soon – at least not after washing it once… or four times, first.

‘I only have half the bracelet because the other half must have disintegrated,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, it is not going. The face has gone a greenish colour but it has not rusted up. ‘It shows how well made it was to survive 50 years under a field.

‘I’m most grateful to Liam who found the watch. He could have quite easily not owned up to his discovery.

‘I’m not going to bother getting the Rolex fixed. It’d cost a bomb to repair but it’ll make a lovely keepsake.’

James’ son Andrew, who runs the farm with his dad, added: ‘I told Liam he could come onto the land to look for coins.

‘He didn’t find any but instead, he found my dad’s watch.’

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